Birthday Thanks for the Internet of (Free) Things

Birthday Thanks for the Internet of (Free) Things

They say the best things in life are free. In this modern age of content and consumerism, I’m still amazed at the amount of knowledge and resources available for free with an internet connection.

I’ve benefited in so many ways from the Internet of Free Things. I’m currently taking a course on solar photovoltaics, gaining the institutional insight of Delft University for $0.

There are three free things I’ve enjoyed so thoroughly in the past few years, I decided it was high time to support them. So, as a birthday gift to myself this year, I’m treating myself to support this trio of free things I love.

#1. Podcasts

I grew up in a household where the speakers were constantly translating the notes from vinyl records or the radio waves of the CBC. My father gave me an appreciation of audio.  Both Mom and Dad encouraged an understanding of the news, locally and globally, on the CBC (even when thirteen-year-old me whined for the K94.9’s Top 9 at 9 instead).

Radio being a long-time companion, I quickly fell in love with podcasts. The best companion for pre-sunrise bus commutes in the prairies. Of course, it was Serial that first drew me in. Then, as I sought interesting Canadian content, I came across Canadaland and Sickboy.

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Postcard from #YogaCamp

Postcard from #YogaCamp

I went to camp in January. I went to camp on a blue mat in our little Hungarian kitchen. I went to camp all by myself and with thousands of others. And when it finished this week, I felt so good and strong that I didn’t want Yoga Camp to end.

Yoga Camp with Adriene postcard
Artwork by Roman Lucio Martinez

Yoga Camp is the brain-child of Adriene Mishler of Yoga with Adriene (YWA). I started following YWA when my wonky work-bus schedule kept me from my favourite classes at Shanti Yoga in Edmonton. My brilliant teacher (Hi Amanda! Thank you!) recommended finding a yoga video I enjoyed to keep my practice going at home when winter roads kept me away from the studio. There are a LOT of yoga videos out there. You can type any combination of descriptors into Google or Youtube and find your perfect practice. “45 minute strength yoga workout” and “20 minute morning yoga” will provide you with dozens of options, not to mention what your local library has on offer. For me, I sifted through endless online videos and “Top 10” lists until I finally stumbled upon a bright, calm and quirky Texan yoga teacher who encouraged me to “find what feels good.”

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